Designated Meisner teacher Angeli Bayani
Petite actress Angeli Bayani is an acting powerhouse. Having been discovered in numerous Lav Diaz’ films, like the nine-hour film Death in the Land of Encantos (2007), Melancholia (2008) which won the Horizons Prize at the Venice International Film Festival, and Norte, the End of History (2013), which garnered her the 2014 Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress, Angeli has been in the acting business for two decades.
“The first major film I did was with Lav Diaz,” she says. The University of the Philippines Diliman Theater Arts undergraduate learned how to create a scene with the freedom given by the slow cinema director. Lav just showed her the frame from the camera and it was for Angeli to interpret and show her acting prowess. “Kaya ko pala (I can do it), instead of following directions, Lav showed me it’s possible,” she beamed.
Doing Anthony Chen’s Ilo Ilo (2013), where she played a nanny, made her reach international fame as the Singaporean dramatic film won the Caméra d’Or as part of the Directors’ Fortnight at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
Of all the directors she worked with, she admires Loy Arcenas, Andoy Ranoy, Dan Villegas, and Antoinette Jadaone. “I love Loy Arcenas because he’s so honest and it makes me want to help him build his vision,” she said.
She loves to be on the sets of Andoy, Dan, and Antoinette. “I really like working with them because they are so fun to be with,” she said. “They don’t take themselves seriously.”
Angeli is also open to work with regional directors. “I want to experience their point of view,” said the actress who has been cast in Kenneth Dagatan’s In My Mother’s Skin.
How did she start acting? Angeli was looking for work at the Tanghalang Pilipino as an assistant production manager or assistant stage manager. Her background was marketing and stage management. “ I was trying to put myself into college,” she recalls. A friend called her telling her to go to Silangan Hall at CCP, thinking it was a job interview. She was told to prepare a monologue.
“Ang taray naman ng Tanghalan, pati staff dapat marunong umarte (Tanghalan is wicked, even the staff needs to act),” she laughed. It was an audition for the Actor’s Company. “Surprisingly, I passed,” the 45-year-old added. She adjusted big time. “I found the love in the doing so that changed me.”
These days, Angeli has found her true calling—to be a mentor and an acting teacher. She is one of three Filipinos labeled as a designated Meisner Teacher. She put up Meisner Studio Manila after receiving a teacher training from Scott Trust, executive director of the Meisner Institute in Los Angeles.
FDCP Film school Meisner crash course for actors
Angeli recently conducted the FDCP Film School Meisner Crash Course for Actors with Alecx Lorica, and Norbs Portales at the Cinemathéque Center Manila.
“Even as an actress, I am not results-oriented,” says Angeli. “I am process-oriented. What I care most about is how free they look doing it and how truthful they are.”
Angeli believes that her students were not the same person they were when they came on the first day of her workshop.
“It was a difficult process but I feel very rewarded,” she said. “Thank you for those who signed up and showed up.” For her, the proper attitude for actors is “to have fun and be open.”
Any dream role for her? “Lagi na lang akong kawawang nanay kasi (I am always the pitiful mother),” she laughed. “Pwede ba akong maging maganda naman? For a change, mayaman? (Can I play a beautiful woman or rich for a change)? Ang dream role ko lang eh yung hindi ko pa nagagawa (My dream role is something I haven’t done)—upper class, action, abogado, detective.”